By studying the flight of insects and birds, scientists hope to create the next generation of efficient bio-inspired flying machines inspired by the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, who drew from nature to design the first flying machines. Unfortunately, they would never take flight. Currently, physicists and biomechanists are decoding the aerodynamics of flying animals. Based on this new research, engineers and roboticists are working on building tomorrow's bio-inspired drones and airplanes.